CVE-2020-13792 in PlayTube
Summary
by MITRE
PlayTube 1.8 allows disclosure of user details via ajax.php?type=../admin-panel/autoload&page=manage-users directory traversal, aka local file inclusion.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-13792 affects PlayTube version 1.8 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthorized disclosure of user details through improper input validation in the ajax.php script. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes the type parameter with value ../admin-panel/autoload&page=manage-users, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths and access sensitive administrative components. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input, particularly in the parameter handling mechanism that governs the application's dynamic content loading functionality. The vulnerability is classified as a local file inclusion issue under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize the type parameter before using it in file inclusion operations. When an attacker supplies the malicious payload ../admin-panel/autoload&page=manage-users, the application interprets this as a legitimate request path without proper authorization checks or path validation. This allows the attacker to bypass normal access controls and gain access to the manage-users administrative interface, which contains sensitive user information including personal details, authentication credentials, and system user data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to obtain confidential information from the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to user management interfaces that typically contain comprehensive user databases with personal information, account credentials, and system access details. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to enumerate user accounts, extract sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the application's user data, potentially leading to identity theft, unauthorized account access, and further compromise of the underlying system infrastructure. This flaw directly violates security principles related to access control and input validation, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on PlayTube for content management and user interaction.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation and sanitization measures to prevent directory traversal attacks, proper access controls to restrict unauthorized access to administrative components, and comprehensive code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of proper parameter validation, including the use of allowlists for acceptable input values and strict path validation, should be prioritized. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for web application security. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase, particularly focusing on input validation mechanisms and access control implementations that protect sensitive administrative interfaces from unauthorized access attempts.